Sunday, October 30, 2016

FALL is my time of the year. . .There's something about a change in the seasons that invigorates me. . .Maybe it's because our Summers are so HOT and HUMID that any task outdoors is a struggle. . .Then the days get shorter. . .the mornings are crisp and cool. . .the wind gently blows. . .and most of all. . .the excitement of Harvest fills the air. . .

Maybe it just happens to a FARMER'S DAUGHTER. . .Maybe you have to be born with gumbo (blue clay) between your toes. . .All I know is. . .I LOVE IT!

If it could be FALL all year round, I would be happy. . .

We're having a very mild one. . .In fact, the temperatures are rather high. . .but the humidity is gone. . .and I'm spending just about every spare minute outdoors preparing for WINTER. . .knowing it will be coming soon. . .I try not to think about it. . .and enjoy every last ounce of Harvest Time that I can drink in.

Every now and then John and I take off a day just for us. . .to do something we'll enjoy and treat ourselves. . .Often in the Fall and Winter we decide to stay at home and enjoy what other people come here to see. . .We have to separate ourselves from the work and take on a mindset of 'let's play'. . .That's just what we did one day recently. . .We chose a Candlelight dinner cooked in the Open Hearth fireplace. . .and lots of down time while we waited for the Rosemary Chicken to slowly roast in the Dutch Oven.. .

We'll be baking our Rosemary Chicken OPEN HEARTH STYLE. . . .

but you can use your MODERN OVEN. . .Works either way. . .

(Check below for the Oven Method)

For us. . .it's FIRE COOKING. . .

John and I never miss a chance to dress up and play either. . . It's optional. . .(grin)

We love our OPEN HEARTH FIREPLACE. . .for cooking. . .as well as to snuggle by. . .There are times when this fireplace is even more handy. . . .A couple of winters ago, it was survival. . . .We had a horrible ice storm and was without power for over ten days and no way to get out of the house. . . .Trees and power lines were down everywhere. . . .We stayed warm by the fire the entire time, feasting on Rosemary chicken, Brunswick stew, country ham and biscuits, roasted veggies of all kinds, gumbo and cornbread, apple cake, spiced cobbler, bread pudding with whiskey sauce. . .Want me to continue? Is your mouth watering?

I've heard from several who were interested in how we do our open hearth cooking. . . .
so, we're beginning with a simple recipe that is almost fool proof. . . .

Get your iron pots out and let's cook!

You'll need a large Dutch oven. . . .
If it doesn't have legs, set it on an iron trivet that is tall enough to place hot coals underneath--
or a couple of brick underneath will work, too, if you don't have a trivet.

Heat the Dutch Oven--slowly but evenly--close to the fire while preparing chicken.

Put an iron trivet in the bottom of the Dutch Oven.

Place the prepared chicken on the iron trivet. . .

This keeps the bird from resting on the bottom of the pot.

Add water and a little wine,

no higher then the trivet. Cover with the lid.

Shovel enough coals underneath the pot to bring the liquid to a slow, steady boil,

Then let the liquid simmer. . .
This adds moisture to the Chicken and infuses the Rosemary throughout the meat.

Shovel more coals underneath as needed to maintain the simmer.

Add more water or wine as the liquid evaporates. . .Don't let the pot go dry. . .

Baste chicken as needed with the wine mix and/or Olive Oil. . .

Now comes the "hard" part. . . .

Grab a mug of hot cider, sit back and enjoy the fire. . . .

John has that perfected !!!!

Check the Chicken for tenderness with a long fork once it looks almost done.

The last 15-20 minutes, place coals on the lid top.

This will brown the chicken and ensure the meat is cooked through.

Wasn't that easy?

I wish you could smell this bird as it cooks. . . .

There's a wonderful aroma that fills the air. . . .

TO ROAST IN THE OVEN

If you'd like to try the recipe in the oven,

place the prepared chicken in a covered roaster, without a trivet.

Pour a little water and wine around it. . .and bake at 350 degrees until done.Baste as needed.

Many have asked how we know when the Rosemary Chicken is done?

We usually surprise them with our answer. . .

It's done when Boo wakes from his nap and lays on the hearth in front of the Dutch Oven!!!

We have no idea how he knows. . . .but, it works every time!

If you don't have a Boo, it will be up to you to check the progress regularly. . .
The baking time will vary. . .depending on how fast you cook it. . .

While the Rosemary Chicken was roasting and the aroma was making us hungry,
we melted butter in a separate skillet. . .
Then added cooked yams, brown sugar, raisins, and coconut. . .
Letting the sugars caramelize but not burn.

In the second skillet, fresh spinach was added to chopped onion sauteed in a little butter.

The large trivet allowed us to cook two dishes at one time,
shoveling coals underneath as needed.

Homemade Bread is for another post. . .but you do know how to make the Honey Butter?
It's simple. . .soften butter and mix in honey!!!!

Good Food. . .

"A little wine. . .A little candlelight. . .and Thee"

I bet you are asking what our day of play has to do with Thanksgiving. . .Well. .
.Thanksgiving isn't that far off. . .so we're hoping that this might inspire you to
celebrate in a little different way with your family and roast a
Rosemary Chicken or Turkey Breast of your own. . .It is so GOOOOOOOD. .
.whether roasted by fire or in the oven. . .We plan to roast a Turkey breast for Thanksgiving. . .so why don't you join us and try it?

Thursday, October 20, 2016

It's the season for GATHERING. . .and I've spent the past week transforming our Keeping Room and Kitchen into a reflection of Times Past. . .but with a FARMHOUSE FLAIR. .

When I begin to think about PLAIN AND SIMPLE FARMHOUSE decor, the first thing I go to is my growing collection of VINTAGE STONEWARE. ..

American pottery comes in all styles and sizes. . .Over the years dozens of small manufacturers have fed the American appetite for this common STONEWARE, hitting an all time high in the early 20th century. . .Yet until recently, most collectors found them too common, uninteresting and drab. . .It was during these years that I was able to collect so many for very little cash. . .Of course we all know how popular they are today with the FARMHOUSE STYLE. . .These sturdy crocks and jugs have found many admirers and are still readily available. . .although at a higher cost.

Original American STONEWARE was made from a thick, white clay found in New York, New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic states. . .Because of the firing temperature, decoration was limited to blue, black and brown. . .with simple flowers incised directly onto the wet ware. . .Free-hand decoration also became popular over the decades. . .adorning the CROCKS and JUGS with all manner of flora and fauna.

By the early 20th century, the average Farm Family owned numerous pieces because mechanization made it possible to produce volumes of pottery items. . .Stoneware mixing bowls, pitchers, storage crocks, jugs and chamber pots were produced in quantities. . .It is the 20th century pieces that most collectors find on the market today.

In our local Delta area, most of the STONEWARE came from Marshall, Texas, where at one time there were several POTTERIES. . .Marshall was closer and cheaper than many of the Northern companies. . .My Grandmother had a mix. . .possessions I prize today. . .

This WINTER I plan to put most of my STONEWARE to work. . .carrying on earlier family traditions. . .I have kraut. . .my Grandmother's crunchy pickles. . .dried apples and pears. . .mincemeat. . .extra basics such as salt, flour, and sugar to store. . .Soon I'll be baking many PUMPKIN and APPLESAUCE BREADS for Christmas gifts and will put to work those super-sized STONEWARE mixing bowls, too. . .

I do LOVE a CROCK AND STONEWARE COLLECTION. . .After centuries of favored use, they continue to be the WORK HORSE of the FARMHOUSE KITCHEN. . .at least in mine they are. . .PLAIN AND SIMPLE. . .

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

But first. . .I wanted to let you know that I have UPDATED the photos
of the Mini Rag Rug Loom Gift Sets. . .
I wasn't pleased with the first ones. . .I had dropped my camera and it just didn't do the trick. . .
So. . .I tried again. . and also added the Fabric Bundle you'll receive with each Set.CHECK THEM OUT. . .